MONTREAL -- Michael Sam says his priority is helping the Montreal Alouettes win, not making history as the first openly gay player in the Canadian Football League.

Sam was signed to a two-year deal by the Alouettes last week.

"I'm not trying to really do anything historic here by being with Montreal, I'm just trying to help the team win some games so we can bring the Grey Cup back home," Sam told a packed news conference Tuesday.

The 25-year-old Sam came out before last year's NFL draft. He was selected in the seventh round by the St. Louis Rams to become the first openly gay player chosen by an NFL team.

The Rams cut him in training camp. The Dallas Cowboys signed him to their practice squad but released him in October.

Sam starred at Missouri in college, earning SEC Defensive Player of the Year honours in 2013.

Alouettes general manager Jim Popp, who called Sam a "trailblazing athlete," said he believes the six-foot-two, 260-pound player can excel as pass-rusher in the CFL.

Sam agreed.

"My size fits as a pass-rusher," said Sam. "I led my team in pre-season in sacks and that was in the NFL so I'm a pass-rusher. Doesn't matter where I'm at."

Sam is considered by NFL teams to be a "tweener," not quite the right body type to be a defensive end or an outside linebacker for that league.

But he may fit perfectly in the CFL. Popp believes Sam can follow a path similar to that of Cam Wake, who was converted from linebacker to end when he joined the B.C. Lions in 2007. Wake was the CFL Defensive Player of the Year in each of his two seasons before signing with the Miami Dolphins, where he has had a successful NFL career.

Sam said he became comfortable with his sexual orientation in his senior year in college. He came out on Feb. 9, 2014.

"There was a reason why I came out to my team, because I didn't want to live a life behind the closet anymore," he said. "Eventually it was going to come out anyway so I have no regrets. I'm happy with myself. I'm living my life the way I want to live."

After he came out, Sam's NFL jersey was an instant bestseller in the U.S. The Alouettes already put his No. 94 sweater on sale on its website for $139.95.

While Sam wants to be seen as just another football player, he knows his decision to reveal his homosexuality came with a certain responsibility.

"I've set in motion a lot of stuff," he said. "I have a responsibility to handle myself the right way and carry myself the right way so future athletes who may be straight, gay, bisexual, whatever, they can be inspired just by what I'm doing."

Montreal Mayor Denis Coderre said he was pleased to welcome Sam to a city known for embracing diversity.

"Kudos. I think it just shows that sexual orientation has nothing to do with sports and it will have a major impact on professional sports," he said, adding that Montreal has a history of breaking barriers in professional sports.

"Montreal was the first to have a black baseball player and now we’re talking about somebody who’s openly saying he’s gay and good for him. I will be more than supportive. I’ll be next to them and to Michael to welcome him."

With files from CTV Montreal